### Ligue 1 Round 36: Nice 2-1 Beats Brest, Returns to European Qualification Zone
In the thrilling conclusion to the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season, Nice secured a crucial victory against Brest in Round 36, lifting them back into Europe's qualification zone for the UEFA Europa League.
#### Match Details
**Date:** Saturday, May 6, 2023
**Venue:** Stade de la Bastille, Paris, France
**Result:** Nice 2-1 Brest
The match was a closely contested affair from start to finish, with both teams displaying high intensity and creativity. Nice, led by coach Didier Deschamps, showed their resilience and ability to adapt to different playing styles, while Brest, captained by Olivier Giroud, tried to maintain their attacking dominance.
#### Key Moments
1. **First Half (0-0):**
- The opening period saw both teams trading shots and crosses, but neither could find the breakthrough.
- Nice goalkeeper Antoine Griezmann made several key saves, including one that denied Giroud's close-range effort.
2. **Second Half (1-0):**
- In the 59th minute, Nice broke through when Nicolas Pepe found himself unmarked in front of goal. He calmly slotted the ball past Brest goalkeeper Thomas Vermaelen, giving Nice a 1-0 lead.
- The lead lasted just two minutes as Brest equalized. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's powerful header deflected off the crossbar before hitting the post and bouncing back into the net.
3. **Extra Time (1-1):**
- The game entered extra time, and both teams continued to press for an equalizer. However, the tension remained high, with no clear chances being created.
4. **Penalty Shootout (2-1):**
- After 120 minutes of normal play, the match went to penalties. Both teams had three players available for the shootout, and it proved to be a nail-biting affair.
- In the shootout, Nice's goalkeeper Griezmann saved all three kicks, securing the win and returning Nice to Europe's qualification zone.
#### Impact on Ligue 1
This victory is significant for Nice, who were initially threatened with relegation due to poor form in recent weeks. Their return to the European competition will boost morale and provide much-needed momentum for the rest of the season.
#### Next Steps
With Nice now secure in the top half of the table, they will look to continue their strong run in Ligue 1 and prepare for upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Brest will need to regroup and bounce back quickly, as losing this match could impact their position in the league standings.
Overall, the result in Ligue 1 Round 36 represents another positive step forward for Nice and sets up exciting times ahead for both clubs in the upcoming months.